Nutrition and mental health

About the Project

Applications are invited for self-funded students for PhD proposals in an area relating to nutrition and mental health. Modern food environments, especially in the UK, are dominated by ultra-processed, energy-dense, low-fibre foods—contributing to poor physical and mental health. We use a lab-based experimental platform to test the effects of a dietary interventions on biological and psychological health markers and examine the associations between mental health and diet using existing data sets. Understanding how nutrition affects brain health could lead to new dietary strategies to support mental well-being across the lifespan. This project offers a unique chance to contribute to a growing field at the intersection of neuroscience, nutrition, and data science. Please provide a 1-2 page proposal relating to the nature of the research you would like to undertake.

Funding notes:

This project is not associated with funding from the University of Birmingham. Applicants will need to obtain their own scholarship or other financial support to cover tuition fees and living costs. All interested candidates MUST contact the lead supervisor of this project by email, including a current CV and statement of interest BEFORE submitting a formal application.

References:

Adan, R. A., Higgs, S., .. & Dickson, S. L. (2019). Eur Neuropsychopharm, 29(12), 1321-1332. Schneider, E., Dourish, C. T., & Higgs, S. (2022). Appetite, 176, 106087.